Bill's Dream Panga

[billder99]

Pangafan, thanks very much for the Mexico links. All of you posting on this forum have been a great help... Thanks! I have been continuing with my "research". (more fun than work) I have spent mucho time comparing different monohulls, both high end and mid-class, new and used. Same for various catamarans, but spent much more time there... very intriguing designs. In the end, all roads lead back to "panga style" designs.

Bill's Perfect Boat:

• 26' is the perfect size for my fish/freedive/camp boat on the Sea of Cortez.
  
• It has to have a bow platform that can be used to fish, and as a sleep platform at night (wifey and I sleep under the stars... no cuddies!) Best to have a shorter bow-platform with swing-up extension for my 6'-1" frame.
  
• Inboard engine is preferred (gas or diesel) as this allows a large full width dive platform... outboard with 1/3 platform will work if properly designed.
  
• I will beach the boat frequently on sand and small gravel, so need shallow clearance and a sturdy bottom.
  
• The boat has to be a reasonable purchase price (hopefully less than $35,000), new or newer (2003 or later model),
  
• and has to be fuel efficient with a minimum range of 300 miles.
  
• I don't care about "pretty", just functional, sturdy, safe, long lasting... got to admit that I love those Andros boats, though... wish I could afford one (Andy - thanks for all of your great feedback on panga forums... you are always objective, fair, honest)
  

After that list, most everything else is gravy... electronics, T-top, rod holders, bait tank, storage, anchor locker, trim tabs, hydraulic steering, etc... I will take what I can get and add the rest later.

I am contacting all of the builders (including Mexican builders) for pricing, and looking everywhere for used. Any leads are much appreciated.

Gracias, Bill

[katastrophe]

The only one that would fit the bill with the size and the budget would be the Angler Panga.

I have one, and love it, my budget loves it, go for it it's a great boat.
No matter what you buy, do a sea trial before you decide, that's how I decided. The sea trial did it for me.

[Androsboatworks]

Bill,

Sorry for the late response. I took a few days off this weekend and went fishing with a few customers and then the super bowl. I appreciate your kind words on the other forum. We currently don’t offer our 26 with an I/O or a straight inboard. The reason for this is because like I have been saying here the shallow water capability of this boat is amazing and we’ve matched it to the porta bracket and the boat runs like a dream, it really does.

We have designed some new custom swim platforms for the boat. They are rather large and match the hull color when we build the boat. We actually designed 2 of them, one for each side of the boat. Some choose to have one on the port or one on the starboard side and they have a slight angle so we need two different molds to make them look perfect. Some people choose to have both on the boat and that looks really cool. I dive and snorkel a lot so you will find these to be plenty big, easy to board and very sturdy.

Another option is porta bracket also make an integrated platform. Look at that one at www.portaproducts.com – its a great idea but you have to have your bracket in the middle position for it to be effective.

Unfortunately there is no such thing as a 2003 Andros because our first model year is 2006.

Many people rig their boat with a a bow dodger which is pictured on the website. This is a fold up canvas cuddie that is great for spending the night or getting out of the sun or rain for a little bit I have one on my boat and I love it. We can put a screen on the aft side that goes to the deck to keep bugs out. Our bow deck is very expansive (8’ long) and with cushions is perfect for overnighting. I don’t believe the angler has a bow deck but I cant remember. The bow of our boat was designed to accept a dodger with the water channel (a raised lip) so that when running it’s water tight in there.

Really the only problem I see with what you want is your budget. I know how important budgets are too. Our basic package (I say basic but we have a ton of features standard including the porta bracket) starts at $56,000.00. That is boat, 4 stroke motor, and dual axle trailer with brakes. Add a t-top and electronics and you are in the low $60000 range. Even though you are budget shopping its very important to understand boat pricing because when you look at the standard stuff you will see where the money is not to mention this is a hand laid vinylester resin built boat. This is a boat that will last along time and with the materials we use will look good too.

At this time I don’t know of any that are used or being resold but really they come online for almost the same price as new. There are a lot of options out there in boats and thank you for considering Andros. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Andy

[arlon]

If you are going to beach it go with the simplicity of the OB. Inboard won't like to do much beaching. I had the diesel I/O and was "beachable". You would have to do all of your own rigging on the pangler as they come as bare biones as a canoe and you can't get them any other way. The diesel with the 110 gallon tank would be cool because of the 600 mile range it would give you. Several dive groups in the carribean use diesel panglers for dive boats.

lot of pictures of a diesel here: photos.yahoo.com/a26panga

[arlon]

The pangler diesel is great if you take care of a few minor issues with the diesel. The like to break if the waste gate sticks and a few other items. For info on the diesel 1.7 engine itself, look here:
groups.yahoo.com/group/cummins_mercruiser_120hp_DTI/

DON'T even think about a 1.7 diesel until you have read ALL of the posts on the 1.7 group. The info posted there is VERY valuable for owners or prospective 1.7 mercruiser owners.

Don't forget the APEX pangas. Somewhere between Andy's boat and Anglers (cost and construction).

[billder99]

Andy & Katastrophe,

Thanks for the great replies. As you said, K, the Angler will probably be my choice to stay within the budget on a new boat.

Andy, the Andros will have to remain in my dreams for the time being. (crybig) I know I could probably afford a 22' Andros, but my experience here on the Sea of Cortez with my La Paz built panga 22' and Johnson 90hp has me "gunshy"... scary with seas on the stern, and they seem to blow up out of nowhere. I will be calling you if I win the lottey.....

The Anglers are fine boats I think, and I know I would be happy with one. I sent an e-mail to Elio on Friday but I havn't heard back from him yet. They can't give me an inboard either, but I think they will work with me on a workable outboard-platform and bow fish-sleep platform (I hope). I think their 26' complete will be around $40k.

Panga Marine Corp appears to make a good boat, but they don't make a 26' (only 22 or 28). 26' is the largest size I can get into my driveway.

Panga.com has a 26', but I have written to them twice in two weeks and they still havn't responded. I am not thrilled with that. If they can't respond to a sales inquiry, they sure as hell won't respond to a service inquiriy.

For the "Dream Boat", this likely leaves me with two options:

1. The Mexican builders. I will be going to La Paz and Ensenada to see some of the new builders and designs. I will report back on what I find. I expect a structurally decent (hand laid biaxial + chop) but poorly finished hull for around $9k, engines and controls (Honda 150hp + 15hp kicker) installed for around $17k, and deck hardware + electronics for around $9k... a total of $35K should get me what I want.

2. My final option will be to buy used... I have found that there are boats out there that are 4 years old (the sweet spot) and lightly used, have taken the "out the door hit" of 35-50% depreciation (better quality = less depreciation), have already been upgraded with all the goodies I could possibly want, and are unlikely to depreciate anymore for 3-5 years due to the relative rising cost of the new models.

Any thoughts?